Premier League TOTW using PFF FC Grades and Metrics - GW8 📊

Welcome to the PFF FC Team of the Week series. Our analysis team selects an XI using PFF FC event data, physical metrics, and our unique grading system. To read more about how we grade players, click here.

GK: Matz Sels, Nottingham Forest

Matz Sels was a big factor in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win over struggling Crystal Palace on Monday night, registering his best PFF FC shot-stopping grade of the season with an 80.6. Sels had a busy night with a total of 19 shots attempted on his goal, 6 of those on target. With only 5 goals in the league so far, Palace couldn’t get the better of Sels whose impressive performance resulted in Forest’s first clean sheet at home this season.

LB: Lewis Hall, Newcastle United

Despite the 1-0 loss to Brighton over the weekend, Lewis Hall finds himself in our TOTW. Hall was one of two fullbacks to produce 4 grades of 70+. Hall produced an 88.7 passing grade (1st among FB’s, 5th overall), 74.7 crossing grade (6th among FB’s, 28th overall), 84.4 defending dribbles grade (2nd among FB’s, 3rd overall) and a 71.4 tackling grade (12th among FB’s and 48th overall). Hall was great on and off the ball this week. He was perfect when defending dribbles, defending all 4 dribbles attempted against him and was tied for the most chances created by FB’s this week with 3.

CB: Christian Romero, Tottenham

Romero’s PFF FC tackle grade of 78.2 ranked him amongst the best of all centre-backs in week 8 of the Premier League. Across the first 8 weeks of the season, Romero has been consistent in defence. He currently holds a tackling grade of 81.1 for the season which ranks as the 5th best amongst all centre backs.

CB: James Tarkowski, Everton

Tarkowski had a trademark performance in leading Everton to an away win and a clean sheet. Of all center-backs this week, Tarkowski contested the second most aerial duels with 12. Winning 7 of those 12 and earning a PFF FC aerial duels grade of 74.6. He was just as effective with the ball at his feet as well, ending the game with a passing grade of 79.1 which was also among the best for all center-backs this past weekend.

RB: Rico Lewis, Manchester City

After conceding early, Manchester City settled into a long passage of dominating the ball but were forced to wait until the final seconds to sneak away from Wolves with a win. Rico Lewis had another confident performance starting at right back with the freedom to move into a central role when in possession. He was solid in defence with a PFF FC tackling grade of 70.3 and had one of the best passing grades of all fullbacks this week, achieving an 83.2.

CM: Declan Rice, Arsenal

Declan Rice did all he could as Arsenal received their 3rd red card of the season in their 2-0 loss to Bournemouth this past weekend. While being down a man, Rice was able to produce a crossing grade of 84.3 (1st among CM’s, 8th overall), passing grade of 79.9 (10th among CM’s 40th overall) and a tackling grade of 80.3 (2nd among CM’s, 9th overall). Rice had an outstanding defensive performance, winning 7 out of 11 challenges this week.

CM: Christian Eriksen, Manchester United

Christian Eriksen turned back the clock this past weekend, putting on performance that reminds people of his time at Tottenham. Eriksen received a passing grade of 90.1 (2nd among CM’s and 3rd overall) and a tackling grade of 77.0 (4th among CM’s and 18th overall). Eriksen completed 100% (41/41) of his passes, completed 6 of 6 line-breaking passes, and created 4 chances this week, tied for 1st among CM’s.

CAM: Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest

Elliot Anderson is on track to being one of the best transfers this past summer. He finds himself in our TOTW again after an outstanding
performance against Crystal Place on Monday night. Anderson’s performance was highlighted by producing a crossing grade of 90.6 (1st
among wingers/attacking midfielders, 2nd overall) and a shooting grade of 78.2 (2nd among wingers/AM’s, 6th overall), and a dribbling grade of 73.2 (3rd among wingers/AM’s, 9th overall). Anderson completed 4 crosses, tied for most overall this week. He was also able to create 4 chances, tied for 2nd most this week among wingers/AM’s.

LW: Marcus Rashford, Manchester United

Rashford had the 4th highest passing grade this week (88.7) and the 9th highest cross grade (80.7, min 5 crosses). That included a perfectly placed cross to assist Garnacho for United’s equalizer. The left winger has shown glimpses of rediscovering his form this year. He’s also currently 9th in shooting amongst his fellow wingers. 

RW: Savinho, Manchetser City

The young Brazilian has impressed in his first couple of months at City and added another impressive performance in their controversial win against Wolves. He created 4 chances, contributing to his 92.9 passing grade (joint highest this week with Youri Tielemans) and 84.5 crossing grade. He also looked dangerous around the box forcing a good save from Jose Sa as City were trying to find their winner.

ST: Danny Welbeck, Brighton & Hove Albion

Welbeck put in a solid performance against Newcastle with 3 PFF Grades of above 70 (passing, shooting and tackle resistance). He scored Brighton’s only goal in their 1-0 win, a nice finish into the bottom corner past Nick Pope. He suffered a scary looking injury from a knee in the back and was stretchered off the pitch, but thankfully looks to have avoided any serious injury.

PFF FC's Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 8.